Google's unreleased desktop operating system leaked via an accidental bug report upload, revealing Android 16 running on PC hardware with ChromeOS interface elements. The Aluminium OS videos, intended as Chrome Incognito bug reports, surfaced on the Chromium Issue Tracker before being restricted.
Sameer Samat, Google's Head of the Android Ecosystem, previously indicated more Aluminium OS details would emerge in 2026, according to Tom's Guide, though not through leaked bug reports. The system represents Google's push to establish Android as a first-class desktop platform, merging mobile and laptop software ecosystems.
The leaked footage shows Aluminium OS running on an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook with a 12th-generation Intel Core Alder Lake-U processor. Build number ZL1A.260119.001.A1 confirms Android 16 as the foundation, with the ALOS codename appearing throughout system references.
Interface design blends ChromeOS conventions with desktop Android expectations. A top status bar displays system indicators including battery, Wi-Fi, notifications, and a Gemini AI shortcut. A bottom taskbar anchors navigation while a centered launcher provides Windows-like functionality without abandoning ChromeOS design language.
According to Android Authority, Google states Aluminium OS is "built with artificial intelligence (AI) at the core," suggesting deep Google Gemini integration across device classes. Rick Osterloh, Google's SVP of Devices and Services, stated: "This is another way we can leverage all of the great work we're doing together on our AI stack, our full stack, bringing Gemini models, bringing the assistant, bringing all of our applications and developer community into the PC domain."
Multitasking capabilities include split-screen operation with multiple Chrome windows running simultaneously. The Android version of Chrome features an Extensions button typically reserved for desktop browsers, indicating productivity-focused testing rather than mobile constraints.
The leak provides practical validation rather than staged marketing material. Google appears to be testing on x86 Chromebook hardware with full keyboards and trackpads, targeting actual laptop usage scenarios rather than tablet reference devices.
Aluminium OS development advances Google's strategy to unify laptop and mobile platforms by building ChromeOS-like experiences atop Android technology. The system could position Android as a credible laptop operating system, expanding beyond phones and tablets into traditional computing categories.
No specific release date exists, but 2026 remains the expected timeframe. The leak confirms active development at advanced stages, with everyday bug validation occurring on production-ready hardware configurations.
